Guildford Borough Council’s planning committee couldn’t decide whether to give the go-ahead for the steel sculpture of a chair engulfed in the ‘flames’ of a bonfire. The 5m-high, permanent piece of art would mark the town’s 19th century secret bonfire society and would be installed on the roundabout at the junction between Woodbridge Road and York Road.

At a committee meeting on Tuesday, chief inspector Matt Goodridge, of Surrey Police, said the sculpture could have ‘fatal’ consequences.

“It is unusual that we should wish to oppose a sculpture, I would not dream of casting any doubt on its artistic benefits,” he said. “When I saw this particular installation my immediate reaction was, it is a fantastic opportunity to try and climb the installation and nothing has changed my mind. Five metres is a long way up to fall to solid ground and it could be fatal. If not, then it would cause serious injury. From my perspective and the perspective of Surrey Police, the temptation around public disorder could cause problems in the future."

He said officers already have a ‘difficult time’ with young people in the town centre and that alcohol is an issue.

The sculpture would remember the Guildford Guys who held wild celebrations every November 5 during the mid-1800s. The society was both loved and feared by residents and members often clashed with authorities.

As Guildford became more middle class and urbanised, the tradition became frowned upon and after a series of riots, the society was quashed by the military in 1865.

A circular, dome-like fence featuring 150 metal rods would form the main part of the artwork while rods extending upwards would be twisted into asymmetrical shapes to represent a raging fire. A large, empty chair would be positioned at the centre and the sculpture would weigh about two tonnes.

Councillor David Goodwin defended the project, saying the town had many pieces of artwork of a similar height.

“If anyone is determined to climb on structures they will do so,” he said. “I believe this structure in the middle of the roundabout would deter people from going there and it is within 50m of the police station as well.”

He suggested the artist put the chair on a tilt to deter people from sitting on it, adding: “I do believe Guildford is rich in art and this is something that should be supported. There are no actual planning reasons why this structure should not go ahead.”

Electronic Arts submitted the planning application for the structure as part of a Section 106 agreement, where a developer contributes to the local community when it is granted planning permission, after it built its new headquarters in Onslow Street.

London-based Mooch, a company which specialises in public art and design, was appointed to create the artwork.

Councillor Tony Phillips praised the idea of remembering the turbulent period of the town’s history and said the sculpture would be ‘beautiful’. He said members would be ‘kill-joys’ if they rejected the application. However, fellow councillors felt the police’s objections should be taken on board and that the sculpture may distract motorists.

Councillor Jenny Wicks said: “The police have considered the statue serious enough not only to comment but to come along and address the committee about serious concerns of the sculpture. It is rare we get a comment from the police. I do think we have to take that particularly seriously.”

The committee agreed to defer the decision to the full council, on April 5.